Roki Sasaki immediately became MLB Pipeline’s No. 1 prospect once he officially signed his contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Even though Sasaki has been playing professional baseball since 2021, he is still classified as a rookie after making the jump from Nippon Professional Baseball ahead of the 2025 season. He figures to be the leading candidate to win the National League Rookie of the Year, which would make him the third starting pitcher since 2014 to do so.
Paul Skenes was the most recent recipient for his fantastic 2024 rookie campaign that also garnered him some MVP votes in the process.
Prior to Sasaki’s official decision to play in the National League, an overwhelming majority of MLB executives predicted the right-hander would win a Rookie of the Year Award, according to Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com:
Will Roki Sasaki be the favorite to win Rookie of the Year in 2025 regardless of who signs him?
Yes: 79.2 pct
No: 20.8 pct
The race for NL Rookie of the Year seems to be a pretty clear battle between Sasaki and Dylan Crews of the Washington Nationals. Crews was Skenes’ teammate on the 2023 College World Series champion LSU Tigers team. The pair later became the top two selections in the 2023 MLB draft, with Skenes going No. 1 overall.
In the American League, Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony is one of the favorites for the award if he is able to break through a crowded situation. Anthony is currently the No. 2 ranked prospect in MLB according to MLB Pipeline.
Roki Sasaki can add to Dodgers Rookie of the Year legacy
Sasaki could add onto the rich history the Dodgers have with the Rookie of the Year winners. Not only is it named after the legendary Jackie Robinson, but the Dodgers also lead all of MLB with 18 total Rookies of the Year.
Most recently, Corey Seager and Cody Ballinger went back-to-back in 2016 and 2017.
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